Ross Elmore Robertson

With sadness we announce Ross’s peaceful death, at home, with family, on December 7th at 100 years. He was the loved husband of Florence, devoted Dad to Martha (Chuck) of Courtenay BC, Gordon (Colette) of Vancouver BC, Peter (Debbie) of Watertown MA, and Ian (Andrea) of Canmore AB, and proud granddad to Carolyn, Tammy, Cameron, Taylor, Kelsey and Sadie. He is also survived by his sister Mary of Portland OR. He will be missed by many former colleagues and friends around the world.

After earning a PhD degree from McGill University in 1944, he was employed as a physical organic chemist at the laboratories of the National Research Council in Ottawa. In 1969 he was appointed Professor of Chemistry at the University of Calgary, where he taught and carried out research until he retired in 1980. Over the years, many PhD students and postdoctoral fellows studied and worked in his research laboratories and went on to contribute in diverse fields. He then worked for three years as an Alberta Oil Sands Technology and Research Association (AOSTRA) Professor. In 1981 he became an Emeritus Professor of the University of Calgary. He was a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada and of the Chemical Institute of Canada, and was awarded an honorary Doctor of Laws degree by Mount Allison University in 1989.

Ross was a tireless gardener and enjoyed woodworking. He learned to play cello, baked bread, cooked gourmet meals and read extensively. He delighted in sharing with others. He was creative, energetic, family-oriented, philosophical, good-humoured, and willing to tackle big tasks.

Ross and Florence enjoyed a long retirement in Calgary and moved to Berwick Comox Valley in 2012 where they have enjoyed the beautiful parks and gardens and the gentle west coast climate.

The family will announce details of a memorial service to celebrate Ross’s life at a future date.

If you would like to honour Ross’s memory, we invite you to do so by donating to a charity of your choice with notification to the family at 1700 Comox Avenue, Suite 340, Comox BC, V9M 4H4.

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